Road-grader.



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ROAD GRADER. APPLICATION FILED MAR.3.1911.

Patented June 25, 1918. v

W. F. BR|NTON.`

ROAD mofa.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3, I9I7- 1,270,259, Patented June 25, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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Wl F. BRINTON.

ROAD GRADER. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3. 1911.

Patented J une 25, 1918;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Nrn sara arnnr arios.

WILLIAM F. BRINTON, 0F WASHINGTON. IOWA.

ROAD-GRADER.

Application filed March 3, 1917.

To all whom may concern.'

Be it known that l, WiLLiA'w F. BRIN'roN, a` citif/.en ot' the United States of America, residing at Ylllashington, in the county of lVasl'iington and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Road-Graders, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying (,lrawing.

This invention relates to a road excavating machine and has for its object the production ot' a. simple and el'l'icient means for autounitically shifting the supporting apparat us or frame of an excavating machine.

Another object of this invention is the production of a simple and ellieient means Yt'oiI raising and .lowering the frame of the excavating machine.

With these and other objects` in view this invention consists of certain novel combinan tions. constructions and arrangements of parts as' will be ln-n'eina'ltt-w more fully described and claimed.

ln the drawings:

Figure 'l is a side elevation o'll the exea- :ating appa atus.

Figi is a top plan view thereof. Fig. Z3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus showing the series of buckets carried thereon, it being` understoml that an endless chain ot buckets are intended to be employed, only a few of the buckets being shown for the purpose of adding simplicity to the reading of the drawings.

Fig. l is a. section taken on line edt of Fie Sl l `ig. o is' a section taken on line 5.-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. G is a section taken on line (5M-( of Fig. l.

Fig. 7 Ais a top plan view o't one of the buckets.

is a section taken on line 9-9 of Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 25, 191 S.

Serial No. 152,277.

has been dug with the road grading machine.

Fig. 1lis a transverse section through a portion of a road bed after ditches have been dug upon each side thereof.

Fig. 15 is a longitudinal section through the easing support tor the drive shaft from the engine 38.

Il v referring to the drawings it will be seen that 1 designates the forward supporting frame and the, rear supporting frame. An adj ust-able block 3 is slidably mounted upon the forward supportingr frame 1 and this forward supporting frame 1 carries a plurality olIV channel members -1 upon the side edges thereof which extend vertically ol the trame within which channel members `rt is slidably mounted this adjustable block il. This` adjustable block 3 carries a plurality ol threaded adjusting rods 5 passing through a cap j'ilate t5 and are provided with operating wheels 7 upon the top thereof .for the purpose ot permitting the a'djusting block l to he moved to the desired vertical position upon the forward frame 1.

The rear trame :'2 also carries a pair of side channel irons S within which channel irons` is slidably mounted an adjusting block t) which adjusting block 9 supports a plurality ol vertically extending adjusting serews t()7 said adjusting screws 10 passino through a cap plate 11 and are provide with operating wheels 1'2 upon the top thereot'. llie lower end of each adjusting screw 1t) is j'n'ovided with an enlarged shoe 121 which lits under the metallic plate 11tearried b v the top of the adjusting block 9 and tits within the socket. 15 formed upon the top of the adjusting block 9 as shown clearl)r in Fig. t3 otI the drawing. A gage rod 16 is secured to the adjusting block 9 and passes up through the cap plate 11 in order to permit the operator to determine the height of the side rails 17 of the frame from the ground at the rear end of the apparatus. This gage rod 16 is provided with a laterally extending end 1S as illustrated clearly in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The forward frame 1 and the rear frame Q are connected by means of thc longitudinally extending side rails 17 as above referred to and these longitudinally extending side rails are connected to the adjustable blocks 3 and 9 and are braced by means of the angle braces 1 9 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and of the drawings. The forward fram( 1 is Vsupported upon -a plurality of tractor wheels 20, which wheels are carried by the caster arms 21 and these wheels 20 are driven by means of sprockets 22 over which a sprocket chain 23 passes. An additional driving sprocket chain 24 passes over the sprocket wheel 25 carried by the shaft 26, and this chain 24 also passes over the sprocket wheel 27 carried by the operating shaft 28. This operating shaft 28 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 8 is provided with a pinion 29 which is adapted to mesh with a plurality of teeth 30 formed upon the outer face 31 of the drive gear 32. The inner end of the shaft 28 is supported upon a casting 33 carried by the shaft. 34 which supports the primary 'conveyer sprocket 35. This shaft 34 also supports the drive gear 32, which drive gear 32 meshes with a driving pinion 36 carried by the shaft 37 and operated by means of the engine 38 through the medium of the bevel gears 39. A suitable bracket 40 is carried by one of the side rails 17 of the apparatus and supports the driveshaft 37 and also constitutes a journal for the longitudinally extending shaft 41, which shaft 41 is provided with a pinion 42 which is adapted vto be engaged by means of the gear teeth 43 formed upon the inner fac`e`44 of the` drive gear 32. The gear teeth 43 are diametrically opposite to the gear teeth 30 and are arranged upon opposite sides of the driving gear 32. The longitudinally'extending shaft 41 has its forward end journaled -within the bearing` casing 45 show in Fig. 2 of the drawing and its rear end journaled in the bearing` 46. The sprocket wheel 47 is carried by the rear end ofthe shaft 4l and a sprocket chain 48 passes over this sprocket wheel 47 for the purpose of driving the shaft 49 which carries' one of the tractor wheels 50 of the rear frame 2. The shaft 49 which supports the tractor wheel 50 carries a sprocket wheel 51 over which passes the sprocket chain 52, the sprocket `chain 52 also passing over the sprocket wheel 53 carried by the shaft 54. This shaft 54 carries a tractor wheel 55 as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The tractor wheels 50 and 55 are supportedby means of the caster arms 56 which caster arms are pivotally'secured to the lower end of the frame 2. The tractor wheels 20 are similar in construction to the tractor wheels 50 and 55and are supported in a like manner and it is .only thought necessary to illustrate one set of these tractor Wheels in the drawing.

As above stated, the primary conveyer wheel: 35 is supported upon the shaft 34 as illustrated in Fig. 1 and an auxiliary sprocket wheel or conveyer wheel 57 is supported upon a shaft 58. An endless chain 5.9 passes over the conveyer Wheels 35 and 57 and comprises a plurality of links as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Each link is provided with a transversely extending bar 60 for the purpose of fitting in the recesses 61 formed in the respective conveyer wheels 35 and 57 thereby facilitating. the operation of the chain 59.

A bucket or scoop 62 is secured to each link of the chain 59 and comprises a hinged bottom 63 hingedly secured to the front end of the bucket at 64 as shown in Fig. 3. A plurality of rollers 65 `are supported upon the rear end of the bottom 63 of each bucket 62 and a plow 66 is secured to the side of each bucket, the plows of the respective buckets being secured to the sides thereof upon different elevations for the purpose of permitting each succeeding bucket in the endless chain of conveyer buckets to dig slightly deeper than the preceding bucket. Each bucket 62 carries a transversely extending shaft 67 upon the front upper edge thereof upon which shaft 67 is mounted a plurality of rollers 68 at the respective ends of the shaft for traveling between the parallel tracks 69 hereinafter described.

The parallel tracks 69 are preferably formed of rods arranged in spaced relation and constituting a guide for causing the scoops to pass from a certain designated path of travel as the chain 59 is operated. The upper track rod 69 is provided with an inwardly bent end 70 which is secured to one of the side rails 17 and the lower track rod 69 is provided at vits forward end with an upwardly extending portion 72, terminating in an eye 73 for permitting the lower track rod 69 to be conveniently secured to one of the side rails 17. The rear end of the upper track rod 69 is provided with an upwardly extending portion 74 which terminates in a forwardly extending portion 75 having an eye 76 which is secured to the upper face of one of the side rails 17 The lower track rod 69 is also provided at its rear end with an upwardly extending portion 77 which terminates in a laterally extending eye 78 which is secured to the upper face of one of the side rails 17, thereby constituting an efcient means for securing the respective ends of the track rods 69 to the side rails 17. These track rods 69 are curved downwardly from their rear ends andare then upwardly inclined toward the forward end of the apparatus as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings.

A dump control track 79 is mounted upon the apparatus and is supportedat its forward end upon a yoke frame 8O which is secured intermediate the ends of the side rails 17 This dump control track 79 comprises a pair vof parallel rails whichare curved outwardly toward their rear ends to constitute a forwardly extending folded finger 81 having a downwardly inclined lower end 82 which is secured to the adjusting block 9 of the rear frame 2. The construction of the rear end of the dump control track 79 will permit slight yieldalile action of the rods when engaged by the buckets for preventing any binding action from taking place during the operation of the apparatus which would be likely to cause the buckets to jump from the track at their initial entrance upon the track.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

It of course should be understood that the chain 59 comprises an endless chain of buckets, although only a few buckets are shown in order to simplify the illustration of the device and that the chain is adapted to operate in the direction of the arrow indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The device is first placed in the desired position for operation upon a portion of the road and the engine 38 is then started. The chain will then travel in the direction of the arrow illustrated in Fig. 3 and the plows 66 will dig into the road and cause the dirt dug by the plows to be forced into the buckets or scoops 62. As soon as the scoops arrive at the end of the dump control track 79, the rollers 65 will drop downwardly, thereby periodically swinging the bottom 63 of the buckets to an open position and dmnping the dirt toward the middle of the road where the same may be readily removed to a desired point of distribution.

At each revolution of the driving gear 32 which is supported upon the driving shaft 34, the shafts 28 and 41 will be rotated one revolution due to the engagement of the pinions 29 and 4t2 with the teeth 30 and 43 and the operation or rotation of these shafts 28 and 41 will cause the tractor wheels 207 50 and 55 to rotate a part of a revolution and move the entire apparatus laterally a distance of approximately six inches. The amount or distance that the device may move of course will be controlled by the size of the tractor wheels as well as the necessary gearing which may be employed for operating the same.

It should be understood that when it is desired to move the excavating apparatus from place to place while the digging means is not being operated, the sprocket chains 52 and 23 may be entirely removed from engagement with the sprocket wheels 51 and 53 and the sprocket wheels 22, thereby allowing the caster wheels 20, 50 and 55 to be swung to such a position as to permit the apparatus to be moved or conveyed to a desired position for operation. In other words, the wheels 50 and 55 as shown in Fig. 5 may be swung to a position at right angles to that shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

As shown .in Fig. 5 of the drawings, set screws 56 and 55 are employed for holding the caster arms 56 in an adjusted position.

By carefully considering Fig. 3, it will be seen that the lowest cutting plow cuts below the track 79 to the depth of about one or two inches in order that the track 79 might have a free space to move in when the machine moves forward to make the next cut. It should be further understood that each plow is adapted to cut a furrow about six inches deep and six inches wide. When the ditch at the side of the road is to be cut one foot deep. two plows are adapted to cut into the ditch and then the machine is adapted to move forward six inches ready for the next cut. If the ditch is to be eut two feet deep, four plows are adapted to dig into the ditch prior to moving the machine when the machine would be moved foward six inches ready for the next series of cuts. In this manner the number of cuts might be multiplied so as to have six or eight or more Vplows previous to moving the machine forward, these digging grades being arranged accordingly to the gearing for actuating' the moving of the machine. This is iliade possible by means of the transmission means 31.

As shown in Fig. 2. a variable speed transmission 31 is employed cooperating with the shaft 31 for permitting three different changes of speed to be obtained. It should be understood that any suitable transmission may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention. By allowing three different changes of speed, two, -four or six scoops may he made to pass or dig before moving the machine six inches ahead.

By referring to Fig. 15 it will be seen the shaft 37 extends into a casing 83, which is carried by one of the gears 39. This casing 83 is provided with sockets 84 into which fit straps 85 for securing the casing 83 to the engine support. The shaft 37 is square in cross section alt the point entering the casing 83 and the casing S3 is provided with a suitable socket for` causing the shaft 37 to rotate with the`casing 83. Rollers 86 and 87 are carried by the shaft 37 and casing 82 respectively for facilitating the moving of the shafit longitudinally of the casing 83. The engine 38 may therefore move forward while the road grader stands for the purpose of cutting, when the road grader may then move forward.

fhat is claimed is:

1. In an excavating apparatus of the class described, the combination with a plurality of end frames, side rails connecting said end frames, means for 'raising and lowering said side rails, and means for periodically moving said end frames laterally.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a plurality 0f end frames, means for facilitating the movement of said end frames laterally, adjusting blocks slidably mounted upon `said end fra-mes, adjustingrrods carried by said .end frames and engaging said blocks for raising and lowering the sanie to a desired position, and agage rodcarried by one of said blocks for permitting the height `of said blocks to be determined by theoperator of said apparatus.

y3. A supporting vframefor an excavating machine Lcomprising a pair of -end lframes, propelling means carried by said end frames and-adapted to .movesaid 'frame laterally :at certain intervals, adjusting blocks slidably mounted upon said end frames, side rails carried byy said :adjusting blocks, adjustinglrods carried by said lend frames and engaging said adjusting blocks and adapted to raise or lower said adjustingblocks,upon saidend frame forfregulatinglftheheight of said side rails upon lsaid-end.frames.

4. An excavating machine ofthe class described, comprising a pair of endxframes, each end frame provided. with vertically .extending channel ironsupon each said edge thereof, and adjusting blocks slidably mounted upon said channel irons, side rails connected to said adjusting blocks,fadjust ing rOdsCarried by said end frames,` and connected to said adjustingblocks for'raising or lovveringsaid ,adjustingiblocks upon said end frames, traction Wheels supporting. saidend frames, y.and a driving Ameans cooperating with saidtraction Wheels to periodically and progressively :move ysaid end frames laterally and at a Apredetermined dist-ance.

5. An excavating machine ofthe class-.described, comprising end fframes, side rails slidably mounted upon said end. Vframes,

traction wheels -supporting thelowerends ofsaid'end frames, a drivinggear and means cooperating Wirth said drivinggear andialso coperating with jsaid traction Wheels Afor periodically and progressively moving said frame in a lateral direction.

6. vA frame comprising airexcavating mi Wheels supporting said end frames, a drivinggear supported upon said `frame, ymeans for driving said `driving gear, a vlongitudinally extending shaft mounted upon said frame, a sprocket chain cooperating WithV said longitudinal shaft and cooperating with said traction Wheels for periodically and progressively moving said frame in a lateral direction.

7. A frame comprising an excavating machine, a plurality of 'end frames, traction Wheels supporting said end frames., a driving ,gear supported upon said frame, means for driving said driving gear, a longitudinally extending shaft mounted upon said frame, a sprocket cli-ain cooperating With saidlongitudinal shaft and cooperating with said traction Wheels for periodically and progressively moving said frame ina Alateral direction, a driving engine, a driving shaft, means connecting said driving shaft tosaideng'ine, and said shaft provided with an lexpansible end for permitting said driving engine .to move a predetermined,distance independently of the movement of said .end frames.

8. In `the combination. with a driving engine, an excavatingframd traction Wheels supporting saidexcavating frame,.a driving shaft cooperating .with said traction Wheels for operating. said traction Wheels and moving said excavating frame laterally, said driving shaftprovided with ya square outer end, ya square sleeve anchored upon said engine and provided With a driving gear, means carried by said `engine for driving said driving gear, rollers carried by -said shaft and said sleeve and :permitting saidengine to fmove vforward a predetermined distance duringthe operation of said shaftand also permitting said excavating yframe to move laterally toward said engine a ,predetermined distance=during the rotation of said shaft.

In testimony whereof I liereuntoaiiix my signature.

WILLIAM F.y BRINTON.

@opmaat tnmnateatmeybo obtetnetfersve .cents eaomvjvbyaddreaing ythe Commissioner of latent. Waahntom); e. 

